Finishing & Screen Printing

Müller Martini begins comprehensive process of restructuring

Thursday 12. September 2013 - By carrying out a comprehensive structural reform, Müller Martini intends to adapt to the shrinking global graphics market and get itself back on track for a sustainable future.

Müller Martini has commenced a project to implement over the next 12 to 18 months the restructuring which became necessary as a result of the massive decline in sales that it has suffered over the past four years. The objective is to carry out a comprehensive structural reform to enable the company to adapt to the changed market environment. Within the framework of this project, there are also plans to relocate the manufacturing of adhesive binding systems to the main plant in Zofingen. A Know-how Centre for adhesive binding will be established in Felben.
The restructuring will focus on all the Group’s manufacturing locations and areas of business at home and abroad. The necessary reduction in the headcount will be phased in line with the progress of the project. Depending on fluctuation levels and further developments, this could still mean the need for up to 350 layoffs throughout the Müller Martini Group. Müller Martini aims to maintain its position as a future market leader in the smaller global market for the graphics sector.
“With the entry into the digital market, the individual technologies of print finishing have moved increasingly closer together” says Bruno Müller, CEO of Müller Martini. “Concentrating activities in Zofingen will enable us to achieve the necessary restructuring and additional synergies, and with the Know-how Centre we will secure the process know-how for adhesive binding. I am convinced that the planned implementation will not only make an important contribution towards the future of our company but also enable us to avoid human hardship.”
The difficult global economic situation in the graphic arts industry is having a massive impact on the Müller Martini Group. Although it has been able to maintain its position as the market leader, sales have collapsed by over 60% in the past four years. The situation has deteriorated further since the end of 2012, forcing Müller Martini to adopt a fundamental restructuring programme